Mike Huggett

Mike Huggett started his career at Raker Acres at the ripe old age of 14. From that time, Mike worked through the transition from field laborer to greenhouse ornamental and vegetable production, ultimately gaining the position of head grower. After leaving production Mike began working for breeders such as Daehnfeldt and Floranova working specifically as technical advisor for each. In 2009 Mike began working as technical product manager for Takii eventually being named Eastern Flower Sales Manager in 2012. He was promoted to National Flower Sales Manager in 2017. Mike also directs new product development and marketing for the flower department.

Mike Capp

Mike Capp received a Bachelor of Science degree in Ornamental Horticulture from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 1975. He worked with Goldsmith Seeds for many years, in several departments but primarily in customer service. In 2011 Mike joined American Takii in the flower department, as manager of customer service. He looks forward to hearing from you with any questions you may have.

Greg Dedman

Greg grew up in central Montana filling clay pots with his toy dump trucks 50 years ago. His parents moved to Washington State when he was eleven to start Mountain View Greenhouse. They were the first of four greenhouses to grow Fischer geraniums in the USA as rooted cuttings. He attended horticulture school in Illinois then joined Ball Biotech and transferred to Ball FloraPlant Breeding moving him to central California. Moving back to Washington to help his ailing father, he left horticulture all together. He joined his wife managing Bothell Pediatric and Hand Therapy. Four years later horticulture pulled him back where he is today, American Takii Product Support Specialist.

Julia Paul

Julia has been with American Takii for more than 10 years and provides marketing support for both the flower and vegetable departments. She coordinates trade shows, and does copywriting, editing and graphics. She previously worked in the marketing department of Bosch’s Security Systems division.

Rosa Rocha

Rosa started her rich career as a greenhouse rose grower in the temperate highlands of the state of Mexico, exporting stems to the USA. She moved to the US in 2003 to further her career and be close to family. Born and educated in Mexico, she has worked for the flower and pesticide industries in both countries. In the USA, she worked for Altman Plants and the Home Depot as a plant specialist. She joined American Takii in 2014 as a Trial Flower Grower.

Nicole Shioya

Nicole has been with American Takii for 17 years as the flower seed customer service representative. She is responsible for taking care of the customer accounts as well as helping to manage all flower seed inventory. Nicole attended Fresno State University before finishing her studies at San Jose State University.

Tim Spencer

Tim began his career as a propagator producing plugs and liners in Texas in 1999. In 2005, he was recruited by one of the country’s largest ornamental nurseries to manage growing operations in Salinas, California. During his career in the two states, Tim has produced, marketed and shipped everything from flowering trees and shrubs to perennials, annuals, pot crops and cut flowers. With his diverse background, Tim brings a unique depth of knowledge to the R&D and Sales team at ATI.

Paul Readly

Paul is responsible for flower research activities at the Salinas station. He has worked with Takii Seed for 8 years following graduation from Penn State University with a BS in Horticulture and a minor in Plant Pathology. He also attended the UC Davis Plant Breeding Academy where he received a Masters certificate in plant breeding. Paul was involved in development of Petunia African Sunset, the Trilogy Petunia Series, as well as numerous other ornamental seed crops.

Stephanie Benabides

Stephanie was born and raised in Salinas and has been with American Takii since 2006, assisting many different departments within the company, including accounting, production and customer service. She holds an associate of arts degree in general studies from Hartnell Community College and a vocational accounting degree. She brings a wealth of experience in logistics and customer service including working for UPS as both a package car loader and part-time driver and a customer service agent with United Airlines.